If you cast a wide net during your job search, you might find it difficult to get an interview or job offer. Unfortunately, applying to every job you come across slows down the process. You need to have a focused search, or you’ll waste time applying for positions that don’t work well for you. Even worse, you could turn off an employer because you lack passion for the industry. Before you make the mistake of not narrowing your job hunt, follow these tips.
While you try to focus your job search, think about what industries you like and which ones you have experience in. In many cases, industries overlap. For instance, you may have been in the healthcare industry for several years. In addition to looking for jobs in healthcare, you might also qualify for jobs in non-profits or biotech companies.
Every industry comes with its own challenges. So, when you pick your desired industries, take some time to think about the pros and cons of each industry. This should help you narrow down your list. If there’s an industry that has too many drawbacks, cross it off your list.
Picking one or two industries requires you to know your interests and strengths. Do you like working directly with people, or being behind the scenes? What part of your current job do you like the most? In reality, there probably won’t be more than one industry that is right for you. If you can narrow the search down to only one industry, you can target your search to jobs in that specific niche.
Many job seekers find it difficult to pick only one industry. Fortunately, you’re not alone in the job search. You can rely on your network to find out which industries are a good fit for you. When you’re ready to find a job, reach out to your friends and family members. Talk to former classmates and colleagues.
There’s an added benefit to speaking with your network. If you mention that you’re in the market for a new job, someone in your network might know of a job offer. In fact, someone may even recommend you for your dream job. The more people who know about your goals, the more likely you are to get a job offer.
After you narrow down your job role, you should also consider the companies you want to work for. Make a list of companies you love and ones you hate. Before you start a broad search, see if your favorite companies are hiring.
When you’re looking for companies to target, pay attention to the company’s leadership and mission statement. It’s important to find a company that aligns with your values and work style. Once you have a list of companies, consider what traits all the companies have in common. During the job hunt, you should make sure you only apply for jobs with employers who share those traits.
By this point, you should be able to target your job search to one industry and multiple companies. However, that alone isn’t enough for a successful job search. You still need to determine which position is appropriate for your resume and goals.
Each position has a specific set of activities. If you don’t pick a position that has the activities you like, you’ll never enjoy your job. Furthermore, if you pick a position for which you’re not qualified or skilled, you won’t receive a job offer.
When you attempt to pick a position, consider what you like the most about your current job. Then, look for a position that allows you to perform that task frequently. If there are any duties you dislike about your current role, avoid job titles that involve those duties.
Generally, job roles have a very specific set of requirements. Although you might want to have a job for which you’re underqualified, you shouldn’t waste your time. You could spend hours applying for jobs and never get any results.
Make a list of your own accomplishments, skills, and education. Using that list, weed out some job titles. Every time you find a job listing, check your list and make sure you qualify. If you’re only missing one or two small details, you might still qualify. But overall, you should be able to meet most of the requirements.
Apart from the industry, role, and daily duties, there are other details you should look into. For instance, how far are you willing to commute? You might not mind a 30-minute commute, but an hour is out of the question.
Equally important is the schedule. If you have kids, you might prefer to work early in the day. Write down your ideal schedule, and write down what type of schedule would be a deal-breaker.
You should do the same with the salary and any other details that matter to you.
Once again, setting this narrow net won’t hurt your chances of a job offer. If anything, it gives you a better chance of finding your dream job.
As you self-reflect on your ideal job, spend some time thinking about your future. What’s your ideal career path, and what are your five and ten-year goals? If you want to reach those goals, you need to hold certain jobs.
Be sure that any jobs you apply for are part of your career path. If you go off track, it will take you longer to achieve your dreams. Spend a few hours planning out your future and thinking about the steps you need to take to get there.
Despite your planning, life could take you on another path. Be open to changes, but don’t lose sight of your ultimate plan. Every time you look for a job, keep your final goal in mind.
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